Breaking The Mould: Nissan And West Thames College Launch
Clay Modelling Apprenticeship

LONDON – May 2, 2013: The Business Secretary Vince Cable today
helped Nissan launch an innovative apprenticeship scheme which, in
partnership with West Thames College, will recruit and train the people who
will literally shape the future of car design.

On a visit to Nissan’s European design centre in Paddington,
London, Dr Cable joined Andy Palmer, Nissan Executive Vice President, in
launching the company’s Clay Modelling Apprenticeship Programme
– an initiative scheme designed to address a national shortage in
skilled sculptors who give form to the vision of car designers.

In collaboration with West Thames College, the National Apprenticeship
Service, Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing
Technologies (SEMTA), the Skills Funding Agency, Creative Skills and
Edexcel, the scheme is designed to create a pool of talented craftspeople
helping to cement the UK’s position at the centre of global vehicle
design.

And there could be no more fitting venue than Nissan Design Europe
– a hotbed of globally-sourced creative talent – where
designers, working in collaboration with clay modelling specialists, have
conceived two sector-defining models which are now among the most popular
cars on the road: the British-built Nissan Qashqai and Nissan Juke.

While in Paddington, Dr Cable learned first-hand how a national shortage
of skilled clay modellers has threatened to undermine the continuing
success of Britain’s thriving car design sector. But he also heard
how the innovative Clay Modelling Apprenticeship intends to tackle the
issue head on.

Dr Cable also met the first three apprentices, Joanna Bond, Robert
Bennett and Sanny Kumar, who were selected from more than 900 applicants
after undergoing a rigorous boot-camp style recruitment process and are now
training in the engineering workshops at West Thames College, preparing for
what promises to be a rewarding career at the cutting edge of new car
development.

Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President of Nissan, said: “Clay
modelling is an integral part of the design process and vital in helping
the design team visualise ideas. It’s one thing seeing a design on
paper or on a computer screen but the ability to view a model in clay gives
designers a real feel for scale and proportion and allows them to fine-tune
their visions and realise the stunning cars we see in the metal.

“In recent years though, the industry has seen a shortage of clay
modellers because it’s a skill and career opportunity many young
people simply haven’t been made aware of and there have been very
limited training opportunities.

“This shortage has forced us, and other manufacturers with design
operations in the UK, to rely on freelance modellers. This exciting new
apprenticeship will lead the way in changing this situation, bringing the
skill of clay modelling in-house, developing future generations of talent
and further cementing the UK’s position at the centre of global car
design.”

Marjorie Semple, Principal of West Thames College said: “We are
really excited to be working in partnership with Nissan on this amazing
project. This fills a gap in the industry and opens up fantastic
opportunities for young people who want to pursue a career in this
sector.”

Apprentice Joanna Bond said: “Clay modelling is a very specialist
role and not a job you can just walk into. This Apprenticeship is giving me
the opportunity to get my qualifications and go straight into work.
It’s giving me all the skills I need to fulfil the role, plus lots
more.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Our ambition is that the UK
should have a world-class skills base so businesses can compete in a global
market. We have almost doubled the number of apprenticeship starts since
2010 to over one million. We have seen strong growth in sectors that are
vital to rebalancing our economy, like engineering.

“Now we’re putting employers, like Nissan, in the driving
seat through the Employer Ownership Pilot. Companies can address their
business needs by designing their own apprenticeships, like this clay
modelling scheme which will keep us at the forefront of car design
globally.”